Island Lake Challenge - Expert (XC Race) 2021

The Island Lake Challenge was a 4 lap (6 miles each) race that was held in Brighton, MI, on September 19, 2021. This was the 7th race of the Championship Point Series (CPS) consisting typically of 10 races throughout the season, though COVID altered this and there is only 8 races total. The CPS takes points from your best 4 race finishes (usually top 5 races during normal 10 race schedule) and awards the top 3 at the end of the season with the most points. This race course was mostly fast and punchy with no significant hills, descents or features. Each lap is approximately 24 minutes with the starting lap having an additional paved hill climb to thin out the pack.

Going into this race I was a bit fatigued and not highly motivated. I had just completed a 100 mile race with 13,000 ft of climbing 2 weeks prior (Shenandoah 100). That being said, I decided to put in an effort and see how things would turn out. Lap 1 felt good and I thought even possibly a bit slow in spots. I had no problem staying with the front group and in 2nd place. Into the 2nd lap on the only real hill in in the course, the race leader was making a pass on a split in the trial (28:54). I wanted to go with him so in an attempt to squeeze in front of a passed rider, I clipped a tree with my left handlebar. I was able to recover relatively quickly, but one racer passed me as I struggled to clip back into my pedals and get momentum going on the hill. Once recomposed I put in an effort to reconnect with the leaders. However, the leaders put in an attack and I was unable to get back to them. Eventually I got passed by 2 other riders when I thought I was already putting in good pace. Trying to stick to these 2 riders became unattainable and eventually I just fell apart mentally and physically. Something about hitting that tree and losing the race leader just sucked what little energy and motivation I had coming into this race.

The race went from bad to worse as in the following laps I fell apart and a pedal strike led me into another tree. To that I added a couple front tire washouts that took me to the ground. Ugh, I was pretty cooked for the season and ready to hang up racing for 2021 before this race, but this race experience took it to another level!

Видео Island Lake Challenge - Expert (XC Race) 2021 канала MI-XC